"You shouldn't have ran off," Kendall scolded me.

"I didn't run off," I denied. My nose burned in the cold wind.

"What do you call this?" Kendall scoffed, grabbing my arm to stop me. I stopped running, raising my hands up and resting them on top of my head.

"Going for a run." The notion of me trying to escape was starting to irritate me. I didn't want to be known as the Luna who didn't care for the pack or their Alpha.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this," Kendall gasped. She rested her hands on her bent knees, wheezing in breath.

"You're a wolf," I deadpanned.

"I'm still out of shape," Kendall complained. I wasn't exactly in shape myself, not after helplessly walking around for three months doing nothing but surviving. But I always had a knack for running, a trait I found completely cowardly, even if it wasn't useless.

"Do you think Penelope would be a better Luna than me?" I heard the tasteless despair in my voice.

"Definitely." Kendall shot back. "A Luna wouldn't torture her beta's mate."

I decided to ignore Kendall's comment. It was truthful, and I knew it. She was only trying to be less harsh, which I appreciated at the time.

"Blake is doing okay," I whispered.

"He won't wake up," Kendall muttered. "That's not okay in my book."

"He loves you, Kendall. He'll wake up for you," I assured her.

"I can't stand seeing him like that. It's too hard to go in there. I must be the worst mate. I haven't gone and seen him once without having to get sedated." Kendall scowled at her own words.

"Do you want to go now?" I asked. Kendall hesitated, her face turning sour.

"You visit him a lot," She snarled.

"The silence is welcoming. I didn't want to be alone," I snapped back. "I have my own mate."

"You could visit your mate more often." The tease in Kendall's voice shined through, but there was an underlying irritation to it.

"My mate is the reason I visit Blake. We've fought a lot in the past week," I explained.

"Try listening to him more. You won't argue as often."

"That easier said than done."

"Macey, he's your mate. If you would fully accept that and how his life works, then you will understand."

"She's not good at understanding."

I turned quickly, spotting handsome, fine dressed man. He looked clean and trustworthy, but his presence gave me a wave of uneasiness.

"You don't understand anything. You don't accept your mate. You make him feel unworthy, when it's really you who should be disgusted with yourself. You're a hunter."

"Macey, run," Kendall ordered.

"I wouldn't," the man scoffed. "What human could outrun a wolf?"

"Call Chase."

"Who are you?" I asked. The man smiled.

"I'm not in the mood for formalities. And I'm not going to let you waste my time with questions." The man played through my first trick.

"Macey, duck!" The new wolf lunged towards me. Trusting Kendall's demand, I dropped to my stomach. Just before the man-wolf landed on top of me, Kendall's golden retriever looking wolf tackled him sideways.

I rolled onto my feet and took a few seconds to decide what I could do. I couldn't try to get in between Kendall and the man; I'd only risk getting Kendall hurt.

Chase.

No. I needed to prove to him that I could be a Luna that he deserves. This was my fight and calling to him for help would only make me seem weak.

Kendall was far from hopeless,but it was clear that she wouldn't be able to last for much longer. I had to do something fast; maybe reckless.

Reaching down, I snatched up a palm sized rock and waited for an opportunity. I saw my shot and took it.

The wolf kicked Kendall away from him and turned, snarling at me.

"I thought you wanted me?" Realizing how cliche this situation seemed, I almost laughed. I knew I could run faster than Kendall in human form, but I was still no match for an irritated fully grown wolf.

The animal didn't take his time in chasing after me. I turned and ran, knowing that Kendall would be little help with the limp I caught a glimpse of before I ran.

Think, Macey. What have you been taught?

I could feel my seconds winding down, and decided on heading back towards the pack house. The abundance of wolves there could easily take on this one man and get help to Kendall fast.

Hearing the paws launching off the ground, I took a moment to let my body drop. The wolf soared over me and right into a tree. The tree let out a snap of protest, but didn't fall completely. This was my few seconds head start before I would have to find a new trick play.

My legs burned from the extensive running which had started as a stress clearing jog. It was now life or death and I couldn't slow down or hesitate.

Turning around never plays out good for the one running away, but I needed to know how much more time I had before making another decision. My head snapped back quickly, saw the wolf only just raising to his feet, then turned to face the direction my feet were traveling.

The dirt coughed up under my feet as I skidded to a halt.

"You didn't think you were that clever, did you?" A new man was approaching me. I recognized this one. I didn't know him on a personal level and I certainly didn't recall his name, but I did remember his face from a few dinners I had had with the women from the pack. He didn't have a mate that I could remember, but he was always at the dinners, unlike the first man.

"I don't know. I'd say that I'm pretty smart," I quipped. My hands were shaking with adrenaline.

"Smart enough to know when you've been beat?" The man questioned.

"I haven't been beat until I'm not breathing," I answered.

"I'd arrange that for you, but he wants you alive. Kind of like a negotiation piece."

"You sure you aren't giving me too much information?" I teased. "Whoever he is, I'm sure he wouldn't like that."

The man slowly grinned a threatening, breath taking smirk. "Maybe I'll just keep you. I like your attitude."

"Brutus, we don't have enough time. Her mate is going to show up, let's go."

Brutus! I remember him.

"My mate and I aren't exactly on good terms right now," I stated. My voice has a tint of irritation that I couldn't tell if went along with my acting or was an honest feeling.

Brutus stopped advancing. "What kind of Alpha would get on bad terms with a mate like you? Are you sure it isn't your attitude?" His voice held less venom and more flirt to it, giving me my answer.

I could stall this one. Maybe not the other, but Brutus could be distracted.

"Maybe I just like a little challenge."

"Sounds to me like you are the challenge." Brutus winked at me and I knew I was treading on dangerous grounds now. I wanted to stall, I didn't want him to take his way with me.

"She's distracting you, man! Let's go before the friend wakes up." The other man's words had me spinning around to look for Kendall. She hadn't been unconscious when the wolf began to chase me, and the man's comment worried me.

It was then that I saw my mistake. The other man was holding Kendall against him, conscious and breathing, but with a rag gagged in her mouth.

I felt arms go around me and lift me off the ground. My mind began to panic. I had no way out of this now without them threatening Kendall.

"Alpha, wait!"

I felt my body and the one holding me fly sideways. The arms loosened around me and my left side hit the ground, skinning my forearm. Coughing and struggling to get the air back into my lungs stalled my getting off the ground.

Still wheezing for breath, I pushed myself upright and saw Mark holding Kendall's prison guard with his arms behind his back.

"Alpha Chase, stop it!" Mark bellowed.

My body twisted on its own once again. Behind me, Chase had Brutus pinned to the ground. He was throwing his right fist down into Brutus' face over and over again. The rage that went into every swing and the murderous look on my mate's face terrified me into advancing. However, I knew that Brutus would die if I didn't stop it.

"Chase." I hesitated before reaching out my hand to latch onto Chase's fist just before it swung back down again. Brutus groaned and turned his head to the side and coughed up blood.

My mate froze at my touch before looking up at me. The fury was still swimming in his eyes as he stood up and grabbed my face in his hands.

"Cha-"

My lips were covered by Chase's mouth. He took advantage over my shocked state and completely dominated the kiss. His entire body stuck to mine as I could feel him showing his dominance, his claim, over me.

"Stop." I pushed away, making Chase growl lowly at me. "You don't have to do that." Truthfully, I felt degraded that he felt the need to show such power over everyone present by marking his territory. But a small part of me understood the threat he took from Brutus grabbing me. I was in danger, and he needed the comfort to know that he was in charge again.

"What the hell is going on?" Mark's anger was clear as he stood stoically by Chase's office door. The door was shut, locked, and sound proofed, giving us total privacy.

"We have traitors in our pack. I thought it was only one but-"

"You knew?" Mark approached Chase's pacing form, but stopped upon Chase's growl.

"I am your Alpha, boy! Of course I knew."

"I'm one of your strongest fighters. I should have known! I'm Macey's guard!"

"You will refer to her by her title, just as you will to me," Chase ordered.

I scowled at the command, but kept quiet.

"I never would have let her go for that run in the first place if I had known. You should have informed me," Mark persisted.

"For all I knew, you were the traitor. You may be my mate's guard but you are still to respect me." Chase stopped pacing and held his stare into Mark.

Mark didn't back down, which was only making Chase's overall frustration worse. I had never seen Chase in such an Alpha role, acting his age, which worried me. I knew that I needed to step in and calm everybody down.

I looked to Kendall, who nodded her head at me.

"Chase," I whispered as I stood up from the office couch I had been sitting on. I walked forwards, between the two men.

"Chase, you are overreacting. You're just stressed out." He didn't respond to my words and demanded submission from Mark who once again refused on the account of Chase's poor decisions.

"Mark, stop it." I ordered. "Chase, I'm fine. I'm safe. You can calm down now."

I knew that Chase was only so domineering because of the tension that has been growing and growing for days now. The argument that we had earlier in this very office didn't exactly help his peace of mind.

"Alpha Chase, in respect to Macey's wishes, I apologize for my behavior." Mark forced out. Chase didn't seem any happier, but accepted the apology.

"Why didn't you get involved sooner?" I asked.

Mark sighed and rubbed his face. "We wanted more information. You were doing good at getting it too, so we were going to interfere at the last moment possible."

My eyes turned back to Chase, who was still holding me in a possessive yet distant manner. His hands were on my waist, in my hair, and moving over my shoulders, but he never once pulled me closer or stepped towards me.

"Why didn't you wait longer? You barely got a thing!" I snapped.

"Macey, are you really that damn short sighted?" Kendall exaggeratedly groaned. Chase scolded her for her language, but she ignored it completely. "You were in danger. That alone was hard on his wolf. Then you started flirting with the man who was trying to kidnap you. You spoke badly of your mate to another man right in front of him. By the time Brute-man grabbed you, Alpha Chase couldn't sit by anymore. He tried."

Everybody went silent as I looked up to my mate. His eyes were blocked from emotion, but his jawline was locked and his muscles were tense.

"I was only trying to get information; To stall and give us more time," I defended.

Chase nodded, but then said, "That didn't make it any easier to listen to."

Suddenly, I could feel the apprehension and pure rage that Chase was feeling. He was worried about our relationship but absolutely infuriated at the men who came after me.

"Alpha, would you like us to leave?" Mark asked.

"No," I answered before Chase could. "Chase, you have to tell him. He should know."

"Tell me what?" Mark questioned.

"Macey, don't," Chase ordered. His eyes turned wary of what I would do.

"You won't tell any of us what's going on or why you are fighting this battle. He should know the plans! He's protected me, Chase. He won't betray you," I insisted. Mark stayed silent, waiting, as Chase stared at me. His eyes flicked between mine before he sighed.

"This full moon, I'm ordering an attack on the rogue pack and anyone associated with their operations," Chase finally reveled.

Mark seemed to accept the information as he nodded slowly.

"I won't speak of it," Mark promised.

"Thank you," Chase replied.

"I'm not finished." Mark swallowed visibly and fisted his hands nervously. "I won't speak of it if you tell me who wants Macey as a 'negotiation piece'."

Chase snarled and tried to advance on Mark. I stepped in his way, holding onto his arm and pressing against his chest. "Mark!" I scolded.

"I deserve to know," Mark pressed. "I have followed you around as a guard for three and a half months now. I haven't stepped out of my boundaries. I haven't asked for a higher position. Alpha, I have protected her at all means you've asked me to. I hid us today when we needed to hear whatever Brutus and Max would give up. Her safety as my Luna means a lot more to me than you seem to give me credit for, and the same would go for the entire pack if you would only have her meet everyone."

The room once again filled with nothing. No speaking, barely any breathing, and no movement. My respect for Mark shot through the roof at his speech and his loyalty immediately reminded me of Kane, who always protected me even when he could no longer tolerate my behavior.

"Macey, Kendall, I need you to leave the room," Chase requested in an order like tone. Kendall cursed not being able to watch the drama unfold but left without a fight. "Macey," Chase pressed.

"I want to hear it too," I pleaded. Chase shook his head.

"Well then I don't trust you alone with Mark. Not even Blake knows what this is about and he's your best friend and beta. Mark has threatened your authority quite a lot today, and I don't want you to hurt him," I reasoned.

"Don't give him any ideas, Macey," Mark grumbled sarcastically.

Chase seemed to have a battle with himself before shaking his head. "I can't. Macey, I can't tell you. If you know, it's one more thing that can be used against you."

"I don't think you should go on the full moon."

"Don't change the subject, and don't try to stall this from happening. I can't put it off any longer," Chase groaned.

"I think you should go sooner." Everyone's eyes zeroed in on me in shock. Chase looked confused beyond all hell. "The full moon makes you stronger. Well it makes them stronger too. You are already better trained and you have stronger men. Take the advantage of their weakness."

"That's not a bad idea," Mark intruded. Chase looked at a shock for words.

"You want me to leave?" Chase basically whispered the words to me as if that would keep Mark from hearing our conversation.

"No. God, no, I'm terrified. You won't have Blake there to save you again and I'm sorry to say that I don't trust Leo to do it."

"Leo?" Chase inquired.

I ignored him and turned towards Mark. He was watching us with careful eyes, seeming to be taking in every piece of information.

Chase stopped me as I started walking up to Mark, but with one tug from me he let go. Mark didn't move or speak until I got right in front of him.

"Your mate looks like he's about to attack me," Mark teased. I rolled my eyes.

"Protect him for me?" I asked. "Protect him like you have been protecting me. Like you would protect Penelope."

Mark's eyes flashed for a moment when I mentioned his secret mate's name. It had slipped but I stayed calm, hoping that Chase wouldn't question it.

"I promise, Macey."

"If you do a good job, I may even give you a treat when you get back," I joked.

Mark grumbled. "I'm not a dog."

"Thank you," I ended. Mark nodded.

"Mark, if I can have a moment with my mate?" Chase politely commanded.

Mark looked up at his Alpha. "I will be told who is targeting my Luna?"

"Before we leave tonight." Tonight. It was already an hour away from 6 o'clock dinner with some of the pack females and their mates. "I'll call you to my office. You will fill Beta Blake's position tonight."

"I'd be honored." Mark gave me one last look before leaving the room.

"Macey-"

"If you won't tell me, then fine. I understand. After you come back, and you will come back, you will tell me," I demanded.

Chase gave a soft smirk. "And if I don't? Are you going to withhold the sex that we aren't having?"

His words made my heart speed up, but I kept my cool.

"I'll lengthen your couch sleeping period," I threatened.

For the time I've spent here, Chase and I had not once slept in the same bed. In the same room, yes, but Chase had moved a couch into his bedroom. I insisted on us having separated beds, and he insisted on me taking his bed.

"It's a pretty comfy couch," Chase replied.

I took a deep breath and slowly walked up to my mate. He watched my every step, his green eyes practically owning my movements. I was always mesmerized by his eyes.

Chase tried to grab my waist and pull me forwards, but I grabbed his hands to stop them. Keeping his hands to his sides, I used his body for my support and whispered into his ear, "I'm sure I'm more comfortable to sleep with than a couch pillow."

Chase pulled at my restraint on his hands, but I didn't let him move.

"Don't do this to me, Macey. Not right before I leave." Chase tried to gain his hands back, obviously not using his full strength, but I didn't let go.

"I know you have to leave," I sighed, "but I don't think I want you to."

"If only this was what you felt when you first came here, then I wouldn't be leaving with so many regrets," Chase muttered. He seemed to be only half conscious as he leaned down to kiss my neck.

"Regrets?" I tried to pull back this time, but Chase quickly grabbed my own hands and held me close to him.

"Not making you mine. I may not make it back this time, Macey." I pulled away again to argue my own fears when his lips hit the mark on my neck. A gasp left my mouth as I practically fell into Chase. "I will always love you, even if I never get the chance to have you."

"You do have me, Chase. I understand now. I accept you now," I insisted. Chase finally pulled away.

"It doesn't always feel like it," he mumbled.

My mind raced with worries, fears, doubts, and my own regrets. I regretted putting up such a fight. I regretted letting my dad turn me into someone who killed. I didn't regret saving people. I didn't regret killing monsters. I regretted letting that part of me ruin half my one spent with the most perfect man in the world.

"You need a nap before you go," I mumbled. Chase only laughed and exclaimed how he didn't understand my logic at times. "I'll meet you up in ten? I just need to talk to Penelope really quick."

Chase hesitated, confused at my request, but pushed into his trust in me and accepted.

"Wait." Chase grabbed my wrist and spun me back to him. His lips landed on mine and he gave me a long, slow, heavy weighted kiss. "Try to make it five minutes?" Chase asked.

"I'll sprint," I joked. Chase nodded with a smile before disappearing out of his office.

I took a moment to calm myself before walking quickly up to Penelope's room. I saw Kendall along the way and stopped her.

"I was just going to see Blake, or try to." Kendall looked longingly towards the front door that she was so close to leaving out of. "I feel like he's worrying, even if he is unconscious."

"Can I please borrow you for ten minutes?" I asked.

Kendall hesitated before accepting and followed me to the kitchen. We found Penelope there helping to prepare dinner plans and we dragged her up to her room.

"What is this about?" Penelope asked. She looked at me warily, while Kendall looked with more curiosity.

"I, um, I want to do something for Chase."

"What kind of something?" Penelope asked. She didn't seem to have a clue what I was talking about, but Kendall quickly started teasing me.

"Ooh, the Alphas are going to get it on tonight!" Kendall teased. I quickly shushed her as Penelope smiled widely at me.

"Macey, are you sure?" Penelope asked.

"He told me that he doesn't feel like I want him all the time. I don't want him to doubt me. I don't want him to leave with that feeling."

"Leave?" Penelope asked.

Kendall and I locked eyes. I had screwed up once again and revealed something I wasn't supposed to.

"We're attacking," Kendall whispered.

"Kendall!" I scolded. She shrugged, but Penelope didn't push that subject any more. She returned to our purpose of being in her bedroom.

"Why'd you come to us?" Penelope asked.

"I don't know what to do. I have nothing to wear. I just need some support before I go into this," I explained. My heart was beating a little faster it seemed in anticipation of seeing Chase.

"Macey, do you not see how Alpha Chase looks at you? He's going to want you no matter what you are wearing or what you do," Penelope assured me.

"Plus he's never had sex so he's probably horny for you 24/7," Kendall put in. Penelope shook her head at Kendall's crudeness.

"Can... Can I borrow something to wear?" I asked.

Penelope smiled and nodded before disappearing into her closet.

I knocked softly at our bedroom door before entering. Chase was nowhere in sight as I peeked my head in and entered.

"You know that you don't have to knock right?" Chase laughed from the bathroom.

The bathroom door was open and I heard him turn the sink faucet on. I took that time to snap the bedroom door lock into place.

"Macey, you okay?" Chase walked out of the bathroom but stopped short when he saw me standing there.

His eyes widened and his hands fisted at his sides. I was sure he could hear my heart erratically beating at the image of my mate standing before me with only a towel around his waist.

My tongue was completely tied. I was at a loss for words. So, instead of speaking, I slowly untied the dark red silk robe I had on and dropped it to the floor.